Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 Review for Air Travel
Use AirPods with airplane entertainment systems using the Twelve South AirFly Pro 2, with dual headphone pairing, 25+ hour battery life and Bluetooth 5.3.
Use Your AirPods With Almost Any Airplane Entertainment System
Wireless headphones have become standard travel equipment, but many aircraft entertainment systems still expect passengers to connect through a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 solves that mismatch with a Bluetooth transmitter small enough to remain permanently in a travel bag.
Plug the Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 into the aircraft's headphone output and it transmits the audio wirelessly to AirPods, AirPods Pro, Bose, Sony, Beats or other Bluetooth headphones.
The second-generation Pro model goes further than simply replacing a headphone cable. It can connect two sets of Bluetooth headphones to the same source, runs for more than 25 hours from one charge, supports both transmitting and receiving modes and weighs only 16.5 grams.
For frequent airline passengers, couples who watch the same movie together or anyone who has already invested in good wireless headphones, this is one of those small travel accessories that solves a very specific problem remarkably well.
Twelve South AirFly Pro 2
Bluetooth 5.3 · Two Headphones · 25+ Hour Battery · USB-C · TX/RX Modes · White
Battery
25+ Hours
Headphones
Up to 2 Pairs
Weight
16.5 g
Charging
USB-C
Quick Verdict
AirFly Pro 2 makes the most sense if your good headphones are already wireless.
Rather than carrying a second wired headset purely for airplane entertainment, AirFly Pro 2 lets you connect the Bluetooth headphones you already prefer to the seatback screen.
Its ability to connect two pairs simultaneously is the feature that makes the Pro 2 particularly interesting for couples and travel partners.
Airplane Screens and AirPods Still Do Not Naturally Work Together
Modern travelers can board an aircraft carrying a smartphone, tablet, laptop and premium wireless headphones while still finding a traditional headphone socket embedded in the seat.
That leaves passengers with three common choices: use the airline's disposable headset, carry another wired pair or find a way to convert the wired audio output into Bluetooth.
AirFly Pro 2 handles the conversion.
In transmitter mode, the adapter receives audio through its 3.5 mm plug and sends it wirelessly to your headphones. The seatback system effectively behaves like a Bluetooth audio source even though it has no native Bluetooth connection.
AirFly Pro 2 Lets You Use AirPods With In-Flight Entertainment
AirPods are one of the most obvious use cases because they are already in millions of travelers' pockets but have no wired headphone input.
Put the AirPods into pairing mode, switch on the AirFly Pro 2 and pair them using the dedicated Pair 1 button.
Once the connection is established, plug the AirFly into the entertainment system and the seatback audio is transmitted to the AirPods.
AirFly is not limited to Apple products. Twelve South specifies compatibility with Bluetooth headphones across brands including Bose, Sony and Beats.
Shared Listening
Two People Can Listen to the Same Screen
AirFly Pro 2 has separate Pair 1 and Pair 2 controls, allowing two compatible Bluetooth headphones to connect to the same audio source.
That makes it much more useful for couples or travel companions watching the same movie. Both travelers can use their own wireless headphones without a physical headphone splitter.
Pairing AirFly Pro 2 Takes a Few Steps
1. Turn it on
Power on AirFly Pro 2 and leave it in transmit mode for airplane use.
2. Pair headphones
Put your AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones into pairing mode.
3. Connect Pair 1
AirFly automatically searches for the headphones or can be placed into pairing mode manually.
4. Add Pair 2
Hold the Pair 2 control to connect another set of Bluetooth headphones if needed.
5. Plug it in
Insert the 3.5 mm connector into the seatback entertainment system.
6. Start watching
Select the movie or audio program and control listening volume from AirFly.
Useful Detail
You Do Not Have to Pair Everything Again on Every Flight
Twelve South says AirFly Pro 2 remembers the last two connected devices. Once paired, it can automatically reconnect to them when used again, which removes much of the friction from keeping the adapter permanently in your travel kit.
25+ Hours Is Enough for Most Long-Haul Itineraries
Twelve South rates the AirFly Pro 2 for more than 25 hours of playback from a full charge.
That is enough to cover even an unusually long single flight with significant battery capacity remaining, and it makes the device practical for multi-sector trips where access to charging may be inconsistent.
Charging uses USB-C and a full recharge takes approximately two hours.
A USB-A to USB-C charging cable is included in the box.
Physical Controls Are Better on an Aircraft
The Pro 2 has dedicated controls for Pair 1, Pair 2, volume and mute.
That may sound less sophisticated than controlling everything through an app, but a physical button is often preferable when the adapter is plugged beside an airline seat and the passenger simply wants to lower the volume or reconnect a headset.
A battery indicator also lets users check remaining charge without guessing whether the adapter will survive the next flight.
AirFly Pro 2 Can Transmit and Receive Bluetooth Audio
Transmit mode is the feature most travelers will use on aircraft. Wired sound enters the AirFly and leaves wirelessly through Bluetooth headphones.
Receive mode reverses the process.
A phone can transmit Bluetooth audio to the AirFly, which then feeds that audio into an older stereo, car AUX input, boat audio system or other device with a traditional audio connection.
That second function gives the adapter some usefulness beyond the few hours when you are physically sitting on an aircraft.
Pro 2 Upgrade
Bluetooth 5.3 Is One of the Important Changes
Twelve South moved the Pro 2 platform to Bluetooth 5.3, which the company says improves pairing speed, connection strength, battery efficiency and latency compared with the older generation.
The Pro 2 also supports aptX audio codecs for compatible headphones, although the codec actually used depends on the headphones connected to it.
It Weighs Less Than an Ounce
AirFly Pro 2 measures approximately 56.6 × 29 × 11.2 mm and weighs 16.5 grams.
This matters because specialized travel accessories often fail for a simple reason: people stop carrying them.
AirFly is small enough to remain inside the same pouch as charging cables, travel adapters and headphones without materially changing the size or weight of your carry-on.
Frequent Business Travelers Get the Most Value From It
Someone who flies once every two years probably does not need another dedicated travel accessory.
Someone flying every month faces the wired-headphone problem repeatedly. The value proposition changes when AirFly is used across dozens of sectors rather than once.
It is particularly logical for travelers who already own premium AirPods, Bose or Sony headphones and would otherwise carry an inferior wired set purely for aircraft entertainment.
Business travelers comparing private and commercial flying can also read ACMI World's international charter guide for business flyers .
Best Use Case
Traveling as a Couple Makes AirFly Pro 2 More Interesting
Many Bluetooth transmitters solve the basic wired-to-wireless problem. Connecting two sets of headphones to one source is where AirFly Pro 2 becomes significantly more useful. Two travelers can watch the same seatback screen using their own Bluetooth headphones without sharing earbuds or carrying a physical splitter.
What We Like and What Buyers Should Know
Reasons to Buy
- Lets AirPods work with airplane seatback entertainment.
- Connects two Bluetooth headphones simultaneously.
- 25+ hours of battery life.
- USB-C charging.
- Bluetooth 5.3.
- Transmit and receive modes.
- Physical volume and pairing controls.
- Only 16.5 grams.
Reasons to Think Twice
- You may not need it if your airline already supports Bluetooth audio.
- It adds another battery-powered device to your travel kit.
- Bluetooth audio quality depends partly on the connected headphones and codec.
- Some older aircraft use dual-prong airline sockets requiring an additional adapter.
- Occasional travelers may get limited value from a dedicated in-flight adapter.
What About Aircraft With the Old Two-Prong Headphone Socket?
AirFly Pro 2 itself uses a standard 3.5 mm connector.
Some older airline seats use a two-prong audio connection. Twelve South sells an International Airline Adapter for those installations, and the more expensive AirFly Pro 2 Deluxe package includes that adapter together with a travel bag.
For most travelers using modern single-jack entertainment systems, the standard AirFly Pro 2 sold through Amazon should be the simpler purchase.
Value
This Is a Small Purchase for Someone Who Flies Frequently
Twelve South currently lists AirFly Pro 2 at $59.99 in the United States. Amazon pricing can change, which is why the current price should be checked before ordering.
Used across 20 flights, a $60 adapter costs roughly $3 per sector before considering its use in rental cars, gyms and other wired-audio environments. For a frequent traveler already carrying premium wireless headphones, that is not a difficult equation.
Twelve South AirFly Pro 2
Pair AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones with airplane entertainment systems and connect two sets of headphones to the same audio source.
View AirFly Pro 2 on AmazonAmazon pricing and availability can change at any time.
AirFly Pro 2 Solves a Real Travel Problem Without Taking Up Space
There is nothing glamorous about carrying another adapter. What makes AirFly Pro 2 compelling is that it removes the need to carry an entirely separate pair of headphones.
It weighs 16.5 grams, lasts more than 25 hours and works with the Bluetooth headphones many travelers already use every day.
The ability to connect two headphones makes the Pro 2 especially useful for couples. For frequent flyers using AirPods, Bose, Sony or other premium wireless headphones, it is an easy accessory to justify keeping permanently in the carry-on.
Use Your AirPods on Your Next Flight
Connect one or two sets of Bluetooth headphones to a standard airplane entertainment jack using a device small enough to stay in your travel bag year-round.
Check AirFly Pro 2 on AmazonTwelve South AirFly Pro 2 FAQ
Can AirFly Pro 2 connect AirPods to an airplane TV?
Yes. AirFly Pro 2 plugs into a standard 3.5 mm airplane entertainment output and transmits the audio over Bluetooth to AirPods or other compatible wireless headphones.
Can two AirPods connect to one AirFly Pro 2?
AirFly Pro 2 supports two simultaneous Bluetooth headphone connections, allowing two travelers to listen to the same audio source.
How long does the AirFly Pro 2 battery last?
Twelve South states that AirFly Pro 2 provides more than 25 hours of playback from a full charge.
How long does AirFly Pro 2 take to charge?
Twelve South states that a full USB-C charge takes approximately two hours.
Does AirFly Pro 2 work with Bose and Sony headphones?
Yes. Twelve South specifies compatibility with Bluetooth headphones from multiple brands including Apple, Bose, Sony and Beats.
What is the difference between AirFly Pro 2 and AirFly Pro 2 Deluxe?
The Deluxe version adds Twelve South's International Airline Adapter for older dual-prong airline sockets and a premium travel bag.
